---
sourceDocument: Brazil Enable AI
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/intelligent-experiences

 Release :

    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Enable AI

ft:clusterId :

    - platai

bundleId :

    - platai

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# AI Gateway

# AI Gateway {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read  
Explore the AI Gateway, its value and learn how to use and configure it for your MCP (Model context protocol) transactions.

## Model Context Protocol {#ai-gateway-overview__section_kz3_2kc_yhc}

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standardized client-server protocol that enables AI applications to discover and interact seamlessly with external tools, data sources, and systems. MCP facilitates communication between an AI
host application (AI Agent Studio), an MCP Client embedded in the host, and one or more MCP servers that expose specific capabilities such as tools.

For more information on MCP, see [Model Context Protocol Client](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/J9yxEi057AU6glHRcqqnQQ "The ServiceNow Model Context Protocol Client (MCP Client) enables you to access the Model Context Protocol tools that are hosted externally and published using an MCP Server in the ServiceNow AI Agent Studio.")

## AI Gateway overview {#ai-gateway-overview__section_vt3_vnn_dhc}

AI Gateway enables governance, observability, and security for your MCP transactions. AI Gateway is designed to be platform agnostic, delivering the above-mentioned benefits both within ServiceNow (AI Agent studio) and in external
agentic studios and hosts.

## Why Gateway {#ai-gateway-overview__section_wwt_bqn_dhc}

Enterprises are building unified AI across vendor boundaries. Their agentic workflows operate across platforms requiring governance.

AI Gateway offers:

* Lifecycle management
* Asset registry
* Identity and access management
* Secure authentication method (OAuth 2.1)
* Observability
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## Value of AI Gateway {#ai-gateway-overview__section_xnc_qjr_mhc}

With the increasing need of interoperability across different AI solutions across enterprises. AI Gateway provides a way for interoperability governance, observability \& security.

## Features and benefits {#ai-gateway-overview__section_r2q_2yn_4hc}

* Enable tight governance and control of cross-platform resources such as MCP servers.
* Enable enterprises to securely connect their agents to remote MCP servers, which work for any agent and MCP server.
* Provide visibility into production metrics such as usage and latency.
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## Installation and prerequisites {#ai-gateway-overview__section_d4n_3rn_dhc}

Applications
* Now Assist subscription (required)
* AI Control Tower for Now Assist -- Pro Plus license (auto-installs sn_awh_config)
* AI Agent Studio (required for MCP server intake in AI Gateway for AI Control Tower (1.0.5))

{#ai-gateway-overview__ul_gh4_5b1_43c}  
Plugins

* sn_ai_governance (version 5.0.6 or higher)
* sn_telemetry_data (version 1.1.10 or higher)

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Roles

* AI steward \[sn_ai_governance.ai_steward\] - for approval workflows and policy management
* AI Agent admin \[sn_aia.admin\] -- for configuring MCP servers as tools in AI Agent Studio
{#ai-gateway-overview__ul_rzx_cc1_43c} The AI Gateway application is automatically installed for customers who use AI Control Tower for Now Assist.

If you're using any generative AI features, you already have access to AI Gateway. The AI Gateway is included with all types of pro plus licenses. To use the features in AI Gateway, ensure that both AI Agent Studio and AI Control Tower are available in your instance.

## What to explore next {#ai-gateway-overview__section_rmm_syn_4hc}

* For information on the process flow of MCP servers, see [Process flow of MCP servers via AI Gateway](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/VX0oKXVGIIxo~l6lCAD4YA "Explore the process flow of configuring and introducing MCP servers via AI Gateway in AI Control Tower.")
* For information on AI Gateway setup tab, see [MCP server record](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/fqC1RpUZknOpcB0bKhTStQ "Explore the MCP server record and its associated tabs.")
* For information on AI Gateway in the configuration page, see [AI Gateway settings](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/kxVsG8Vjh1qCpgo05ByEtA "Turn MCP server connections on or off, automatically deactivate vulnerable tools and activate new tools, and activate the Data Sensitivity Check.")
* For information on the roles in AI Control Tower and their role with AI Gateway, see [AI Control Tower roles](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/LAcd98FFQeu2TsmYn13mbw "Certain roles are installed along with the installation of the AI Control Tower.")
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